Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I accept the Minister's bona fides in this. I also appreciate that his is willing to expedite this and to meet further on this.

I am still concerned, however, that planning permission and availability are two clearly distinct elements within the reply that I received today. I still do not understand why the planning permission application, 12 months later, has not been submitted.

Having said that, the news is positive. It is important for the people of Monasterevin who use this service because the budget reflected an agreement that there would be ten new support staff for Alzheimer's services. The Kildare Alzheimer's services use this and are now in their second temporary building. They have to leave at Christmas and they are at the end of their tether in terms of trying to find another place. While providing supports, we must have places where people can go to. I look forward to a resolution on this. I thank the Minister.

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